22 SAS Brogan, Shaun Michael

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Brogan
  • FORENAME
Shaun Michael
  • UNIT
  • RANK
Captain
  • NUMBER
480255
  • AWARD
Militay Cross
  • PLACE
Dhofar (Oman) 1971-72
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Royal Anglian Regiment
born 24.5.1944 Stamford,Lincolnshire
son of Major William Garratt St Stephen Brogan,OBE
educated Ratcliffe College,Leicestershire
graduated RMA,Sandhurst
commissioned Royal Anglian Regiment (4 Bn) 15.12.1965
Lieutenant 17.6.1967
left Army 1969
graduated Lincoln College,Oxford
23 SAS
22 SAS 1971-72
WIA November 1971 Dhofar
left Army July 1979
civilian administrator for Omani government
employed by Control Risks 1980
employed by NHS,Oxfordshire 1985-2003
married Dr Catherine Clubb (2 sons Blaise and Kit)
died 9.7.2012 Aylesbury,Buckinghamshire
 

CITATION:

Military Cross : This officer has served in DHOFAR from 26 April, 1971 until April, 1972 with a break of two months. He has been employed both as Operations Officer and a field commander on the Jebel. During his time as Operations Officer he displayed tremendous energy, organizing and planning ability and foresight. In particular his efforts to secure greater co-operation of all arms were immense. As a field commander he has frequently been in action and has at all times displayed gallantry and coolness under fire. He was wounded in November, 1971 but returned to the Jebel in January, 1972. His courage, determination, resourcefulness and handling of supporting fire have been quite outstanding. As a Special Forces advised working with indigenous people he has displayed tireless energy, great tact and limitless patience.

In particular, he led an operation on 17 January, 1972 to secure a firm base in enemy controlled territory. He planned the operation between 6-12 January which involved 100 irregulars and his troop supported by the Sultan's Air Force. Besides the usual planning problems he had to overcome the objections and resistance of the irregulars, motivate them to do the operation, accede to some of their demands and maintain secrecy. At dawn of 17 January the force landed on an unmanned LZ and moved swiftly through difficult country towards its objective. Shortly afterwards the force came under heavy fire, the irregulars took cover and would not continue. Captain BROGAN went forward under fire and by determination and personality persuaded the irregulars to advance again. Having fought through this contact and some time later the force was stopped by heavy enemy fire and the irregulars again would not continue. Again Captain BROGAN got them moving forward by a display of energy, bravery and determination. A little while later the rearguard came under sustained fire. Captain BROGAN immediately returned to their position, directed the return fire and in so doing killed the local area commander of the enemy. Eventually the objective was reached after seven hours continuous movement and fighting. This was due to the highest qualities of leadership shown by Captain BROGAN.

Captain BROGAN has, over a lengthy period of sustained operations, displayed outstanding qualities of leadership, initiative, planning and bravery. His example has produced results beyond all expectations and has been an inspiration to all ranks under his command.

Place : DHOFAR
Date of Action : 26 April, 1971 to April 1972
How Employed : Operations Officer / Field Commander

Queen's Commendation : In May 1971 'A' Squadron 22 Special Air Service Regiment became a British Army Training Team in DHOFAR, OMAN, and assumed responsibility for the training and control of 250 irregular Dhofaris, who had at that time recently been formed into six independent units each known as a FIRQAT. Unit strengths had increased to nearly 400 by 1 August 1971.

The force was situated throughout DHOFAR, a province in OMAN approximately the size of Wales, and controlled from SALALAH By Squadron Headquarters of some fifteen men. Communication by wireless, resupply by air, and logistic support of every kind, especially aircraft was extremely limited. Further limitations were imposed during this period by the monsoon. Despite these difficulties Captain ROGAN who was then the Squadron Operations Officer, set up, organised, and ran, an extremely efficient control and administration structure without which the Squadron would never have continued to function.

In July 1971 Captain BROGAN handed over his duties of Operations Officer, and assumed Command of a Training Team. In six weeks with only eight SAS soldiers and sixty irregulars he cleared and pacified an area of 350 square miles of rugged mountainous terrain. In the process the rebel unit previously controlling the area was broken up and driven out of the territory. The enemy Commander and two of his men were killed, and two were wounded. Couriers and sympathisers were uncovered and punished, and food caches were found and destroyed. The FIRQAT suffered no casualties. Before his departure from the area Captain BROGAN formed, armed and trained a local defence force, which is now capable of resisting the rebels, and communicating intelligence to the government forces.

Throughout his tour in DHOFAR Captain BROGAN has shown leadership, determination, and an understanding of a deep and complex problem within the Province, and it is recommended that he be awarded a Queens Commendation.

Place : DHOFAR SULTANATE OF OMAN
Date of Action : May 1971 - August 1971
How Employed : Operations Officer/Training Team Commander

WEB LINKS:

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7631403 (MC)
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7488100 (MC)
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7488092 (QUEEN'S COMMENDATION)
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